Herbst manoeuvre by X-31 aircraft. This X-31 jet aircraft, on a research mission from NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, USA,

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Herbst manoeuvre by X-31 aircraft. This X-31 jet aircraft, on a research mission from NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, USA, is flying at a high angle of attack, nearly perpendicular to the flight path while performing the Herbst manoeuvre. This manoeuvre uses the entire airframe as a speed brake, with the aircraft's unique thrust vectoring system used to maintain control. The pilot rapidly rolls the aircraft to reverse the direction of flight, completing the manoeuvre with acceleration back to high speed in the opposite direction. This type of manoeuvre can reduce the turning time of a fighter aircraft by 30 percent. Photographed in March 1994.

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Size: 2757px × 3182px
Photo credit: © NASA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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